EMPTY houses on a Holywell estate are a cause for concern for residents and politicians.

Delyn Labour MP David Hanson and AM Sandy Mewies have called for action to be taken on the Holway estate, which now has 18 properties boarded up.

Mr Hanson said: “I will be asking Flintshire County Council what urgent steps they are taking to sort out the number of voids.

“I know the council is to start a consultation shortly. This needs to be done urgently as it is unacceptable the efforts of a number of people are hampered by the number of boarded-up houses on the estate.”

Members of the Tenants and Residents’ Association are also worried.

Chairman Ray Cooper said: “As far as I am concerned, the county council is dragging us down. Action is needed quickly.”

Neal Cockerton, Flintshire’s acting director of community and housing, said: “The council is continuing to put in place various interventions to improve the situation on the Holway.”

He said a local lettings policy had been drafted to enable the council to make future allocations into the properties that were reflective of the needs of the area, which he hoped would reduce the high turnover rates.

Sandy Mewies AM said: “I have always admired the work the Tenants and Residents’ Association does. I hope the county council can take an urgent look at the number of empty houses.”